Being idle and blessed.

Earth Prayer

“Sowing the seed,

my hands are one with the earth.

Wanting the seed to grow,                             Wendell Berry

my mind is one with the light.              From: Earth Prayers

Hoeing the crop,

my hands are one with the rain.

Having cared for the plants,

my mind is one with the air…”

“I thirst by day.  I watch by night.                 Theodore Roethke

I receive! I have been received!            From: Earth Prayers

I hear flowers drinking their light…

Being, not doing, is my first job.”

          My friend, Carolyn, wrote, “Digging in the dirt brings out the best in me.”  My friend, Isie, says, “Working in the garden is my therapy.”  For almost everyone, digging and planting this time of year is soul satisfying work.  My grandmother, who was the best gardener I’ve ever known, always counseled me not to plant anything until Good Friday.  I don’t know if that had anything to do with Jesus or not---maybe in her mind spring was not ‘official’ until Easter.

          Perhaps, digging in the earth reconnects us with who we really are—products of that earth.  We remember our truest selves when we breathe in the loamy scent of Earth’s fertile pheromones.  In turning up, and breaking up and spreading with our hands, we enrich our connection to the cycle of life.  In the planting the seeds and patting the soil over them, we reach back in time to our most ancient genetic memories.  Whatever it is, we in the twenty-first century need to foster our connection to Earth by any means we are able.

          Even though it is not yet Good Friday, it is a good day to go stroll in the botanical gardens and make ‘planting plans.’  It is a good day for being ‘idle and blessed,’ as Mary Oliver would tell us.  The cherry blossoms are blooming in our nation’s capital and the dogwoods are a pillow of white in Birmingham, Alabama.  The azalea festival is about to kick off on the east coast and, the orange blossoms are blooming on the west coast.  Just about anywhere you go today flowers will assault you with their beauty.  I hope you will be outside in worship.

                                                  In all things give thanks,

                                                  Jane